Ian said:

dv said:

TIL on reentry “thrusters fired continuously in tiny bursts to manage the capsule’s attitude (orientation) during the high-speed, 3,000°C+ plasma phase, ensuring the heat shield faced the proper direction.”

.. and so they can “fly” the capsule though the atmosphere to achieve a pretty precise landing.

They enter the atmosphere with excess energy, and to burn that off they turn left & right as needed to keep it right on planned parameters. If they’re looking a bit short they don’t turn as much, etc.